According to a new poll published by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy that was conducted in three Gulf Cooperation Council countries–Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates–the majority of the population rejects ISIS and supports a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The poll is based on personal interviews conducted with 1,000 residents in each country, with a 3% margin of error.
In the three Gulf Cooperation Council countries, ISIS enjoys almost zero popular support. Only 4% of Kuwaitis, 5% of Saudis, and 3% of the citizens of the United Arab Emirates support ISIS. According to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, “It suggests, quite contrary to common misconception, that the new anti-ISIS coalition spearheaded by the United States is on solid ground, at least in terms of public opinion in the Arab Gulf. Of course, even a tiny minority of vocal or violent ISIS supporters could create serious problems in any of these (or other) countries.”
The majority of Saudis, Kuwaitis, and Emiratis also have a negative view on Syria, Hezbollah, and Iran. Assad’s regime has a 15% approval rating in these three countries. Only 13% of Saudis, 21% of Emiratis, and 24% of Kuwaitis have a positive perception of Iran. Regarding Hezbollah, only 13% of Saudis, 15% of Emiratis, and 24% of Kuwaitis have a positive perception of this Lebanese terror organization backed by Iran.
In contrast, the Muslim Brotherhood enjoys the support of a large minority in these three countries. 31% of Saudis, 34% of Kuwaitis, and 23% of Emiratis support the Muslim Brotherhood: “This level of popular approval is considerably higher than might be expected, given that both the Saudi and Emirati governments labeled the Muslim Brotherhood a ‘terrorist organization’ earlier this year and have very publicly campaigned against it.”
The population in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia has mixed views on Hamas, however. 52% of Saudis, 53% of Kuwaitis, and 44% of Emiratis have a positive view on Hamas, while only about 40% in the three countries has a positive view of the Palestinian Authority. Nevertheless, despite these statistics, fewer than half believe that Hamas’s military tactics are likely to defeat Israel in the near future and about 40–45% of the population believes that “Hamas brings more harm than good to the Palestinians themselves.”
“These mixed public attitudes are reflected in views about various regional powers,” the Washington Institute for Near East Policy poll explained. “Kuwaitis are almost evenly divided in positive or negative appraisals of the Egyptian government’s recent policies–which oppose both the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas; and they are similarly divided about the governments of Turkey and Qatar, which support both organizations. Emiratis have equally divided opinions about Turkey and Qatar but are more favorably disposed toward Egypt: 60% positive versus 37% negative. Saudis are split on Turkey, narrowly negative on Qatar (45% vs. 53%), and the most favorable, by a two-to-one margin, toward Egypt: 64% positive versus 33% negative.”
While the Palestinian cause remains very popular in these three Persian Gulf countries, surprisingly, making peace with Israel is popular as well, despite the significant percentage of the population that has a positive view about Hamas. 53% of Kuwaitis, 58% of Emiratis, and 61% of Saudis believe that the best way forward is to make “peace between Israel and a Palestinian state.” Given these statistics, perhaps there is potential for Israel to make peace with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
By Rachel Avraham/www.jerusalemonline.com
